Biology Test Questions
What is the difference between a theory and a law?
A theory is a well supported explanation of a phenomenon, while a law is a well supported description of it.
A person studying a topic is presented with new information that conflicts with previous findings. What would a scientist do in this situation? A. ignore the new information B. argue against the new information C. evaluate the new information D. keep the new information to himself
C. Evaluate the new information
What are the three parts of cell theory?
1. All organisms are composed of one or more cells, 2. the cell is the basic unit of structure and organization in organisms, 3. all cells come from preexisting cells.
What are the steps to the scientific method?
1. Ask questions 2. Make observations and infer 3. Make hypothesis 4. Test hypothesis/ experiment 5. Analyze results 6. Communicate results 7. Further scientific inquiry (peer review)
Which is NOT something a scientist would study? A. astrology B. botany C. biology D. anatomy
A. Astrology
A researcher is interested in the effects of nitrate and phosphate on plant growth and sets up an experiment in which groups of five plants are given 1, 2, and 3 grams of nitrate and 1, 2, and 3 grams of phosphate in all combinations over a period of one month. The researcher measures plant weight at the end of the experiment. What is missing in this experimental design? A. control group B. independent variable C. dependent variable D. a constant
A. Control group
Tasha is testing the effect of blue-colored light on the growth of tomato plants. Which is the independent variable in this experiment? A. light color B. light intensity C. amount of light D. temperature of light
A. Light color
Which of the following correctly sequences the steps of the scientific method? A. question, observe, explain, design and conduct experiment, collect and analyze data, report findings B. observe, question, make a testable explanation, experiment, collect and analyze data, state findings C. form a hypothesis, observe, investigate a testable question, collect and analyze data, state results D. design and conduct investigation based on a testable question, form a hypothesis, collect data, state findings
A. Question, observe, explain, design and conduct experiment, collect and analyze data, report findings
Which best describes the purpose of science? A. to explain the nature of things B. to propose solutions to political issues C. to solve the ethical problems of society D. to debate the meaning of life
A. To explain the nature of things
Which best describes the difference between an observation and an inference? A. you can record an observation; an inference is an idea B. you make an inference before you make observations C. an observation is a conclusion; an inference is a hypothesis D. an observation is based on evidence, an inference is not
A. You can record an observation; an inference is an idea
Which of the following is an observation? A. You record the air temperature every day for a week B. You propose that a cold front is approaching C. You hypothesize that the temperature will increase tomorrow D. You conclude that the season is changing
A. You record the air temperature every day for a week
What is a quantitative analysis?
An analysis that involves numbers or measurements.
What is qualitative analysis?
An analysis that involves pure observation without measurements or numbers.
What is the difference between an observation and an inference?
An observation is a direct method of gathering information, while an inference is combining your observations and you already know to draw conclusions.
In the peer review process for a report of the results of a study on ecology of honeybees, who would be an appropriate reviewer? A. a politician that knew about bees B. a biologist studying insects C. a university president D. a physicist that keeps bees
B. A biologist studying insects
Which is NOT a topic of biology? A. the relationship between fungi and trees B. the distribution of sand on an ocean floor C. the chemicals at work in the stomach D. the speed at which a hummingbird flies
B. The distribution of sand on an ocean floor
A scientist is investigating a new drug that will cure the common cold. The scientist should give the ______ group a sugar pill, rather than the drug.
Control
In an experiment testing the effect of magnetic field on germination in a plant, the seeds exposed to the normal magnetic field of earth would be described as the _________
Control group
Which is an inference? A. You measure a plant's height every day for a week B. You give a plant the same amount of water every day C. Every day for a week, you collect data on a plant's movement D. After watching a plant for a week, you determine it needs more sunlight
D. After watching a plant for a week, you determine it needs more sunlight
In an experiment testing the effect of loud noises on a person's reaction time, Sarah uses different volumes of a particular song when testing the time it takes a person to catch a falling ruler. The __________ variable is the reaction time.
Dependent
In an investigation on effect of exercise on breathing rate, the breathing rate is the __________ variable.
Dependent
What are some examples of pseudoscience?
Examples: astrology, make-believe animals, mermaids, aliens.
T or F. A theory can eventually become a law if enough additional evidence is gathered to support it.
False
T or F. After observing tadpoles swimming in the water, you could infer that all amphibians have gills.
False
T or F. An inference comes before observation.
False
T or F. Replace bolded word if false. In an experiment, the CONTROL GROUP is used to test the effect of independent variable.
False, experimental
T or F. Replace bolded word if false. Orlando infers that when he steps on an anthill, the ants come out. He observes that ants do this out of fear. Orlando's statements CORRECTLY describe examples of an inference and observation.
False, incorrectly
T or F. Replace bolded word if false. PSEUDOSCIENCE is based on observations and facts.
False, science
SI Base units?
Length = meter, Mass = kilogram, Volume = liter, Time =second.
A ________ would be the most appropriate SI unit to use for recording the amount of water people consume after exercising.
Liter
What are the characteristics of living organisms?
Made of one or more cells, displays organization, grows and develops, reproduces, responds to stimuli, requires energy, mains homeostasis, and adaptations evolve over time.
A _________ would be the most appropriate SI unit used for measuring the growth of trees over time.
Meter
Can theories eventually become laws or laws become theories?
NO!
T or F. The study of biology includes things that were once living and those alive today.
True
What is the difference between grow and develop?
When you are growing you are getting bigger, but when you develop you change.
The organization of an organism
cells>tissues>organs>organ systems>organism
